Karen Chilcote

Mrs. Karen Marie Chilcote (nee Arvidson), age 80, passed away on February 20, 2025 surrounded by family at her home in South Euclid, Ohio. Karen was born on June 25, 1944 in Cleveland. She lived a life filled with love, dedication, and an unwavering enthusiasm for her family, friends, and heritage.

Karen had a deep passion for her Swedish roots. She was a member of the Vasa Order of America Nobel-Monitor Lodge No.130 for over 35 years after attending with her parents since childhood. Karen also held numerous officer positions within both the local lodge and at the district level, including vice chairperson, treasurer, and historian. She also proudly wrote the monthly lodge newsletter for 15 years. Her love for Swedish culture extended to music - she sang with the Swedish choir Vasa Voices - and dance; she especially enjoyed dancing a good schottis to accordion music.

Karen graduated from Mayfield High School in 1962 and was active with the reunion committee in recent years. She began her career as a secretary at Schofield Panel in 1965, where she met her husband Don. Over the years, she worked as a bookkeeper and as an administrator at Leaseway Transportation before transitioning into human resources administration at Marketeam Associates. Shortly before retiring she was promoted to Director of HR. Karen was known for her positive attitude and strong work ethic.

As a wife, mother, and homemaker, Karen's love and energy was boundless. From cooking homemade dinners to making every holiday and birthday something special for her family. Her love was unconditional and her support, advice, and friendship carried her whole family through the best and hardest of times.

Karen's interests were vast and vibrant. She loved gardening, traveling - especially road trips with friends - attending theater performances, and listening to music. She was a formidable card and Scrabble player, attending a monthly card game with her best friends from grade school and nightly Scrabble matches with Don. Her discovery of online games also provided a way to stay in touch with old friends and neighbors. A collector of jewelry, purses, and shoes, she had a fabulous sense of style. She also found great joy in cooking and baking for family and friends.

Above all, Karen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who touched countless lives with her kindness and generosity. She made it a priority to visit her cherished older sister, Dovey, as well as many friends and local seniors living alone in their later years. Her warmth and humor brightened every room she entered.

Karen is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Donald; her sister Esther "Dovey" Kunkle; daughters Christine (Gregory); Michele (Jeff); and Suzanne (Tim); grandchildren Catherine, Lucia, Sophia, Leyla, and Spencer, niece Cherie; nephew Michael; brother-in-law Robert; and many more nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Helge and Judith Arvidson; nephew Jim; and brother-in-law Mervin "Bill".

Karen's legacy is one of love, laughter, dedication to family and community, and an appreciation for life's joys both big and small. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 1st at 2:30 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, 3740 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44121. We ask attendees to consider wearing your favorite Swedish themed outfit or Karen's favorite colors, Swedish yellow and blue. The service will be followed by pastries and coffee in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gathering Place, a comprehensive support center for individuals and their families coping with the impact of cancer. See https://touchedbycancer.org/our-mission.